While the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition is a fun tribute, nothing beats experiencing the original PS1 version on its original hardware.

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The recent announcement of the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition has me reflecting on my mixed feelings about remastered classics. While I appreciate that beloved games from the past are getting a chance to shine on modern platforms, I also hope players will consider experiencing the iconic Ubisoft platformer on its original PS1.

I’m all for having easy access to classics like Rayman on systems such as the PS5 and Switch 2. This is really just a nudge to encourage you to revisit the best retro consoles from yesteryear. I genuinely believe that experiencing older hardware, even if it’s a bit of a hassle, is crucial. There may come a time when finding working physical copies of games or systems like the PS1 becomes a challenge.

In my view, the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition is more of a celebratory collection that’s best appreciated if you’ve played the original. I’m not suggesting that experiencing the spinny-haired legend’s debut through the remaster is a bad idea, nor will you necessarily gain more by playing an original copy. However, using an old system like the PlayStation or the Atari Jaguar—if you happen to have access to one—will give you a taste of what playing the game was like 30 years ago.

If you’re looking to play the original Rayman and want to experience the original hardware, I have a few suggestions. The first is to track down an original PlayStation and a CRT TV, which will replicate the experience I had when I received the platformer for Christmas back in 1995. I could go on about how an old screen accurately displays the original adventure’s graphics in all their 4:3 pixelated glory, but I’ll spare you and instead discuss how to connect the retro console to a modern TV or monitor, which is a more manageable project than hunting down an old tube screen.

I typically connect all my old consoles to screens using an Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC). This device allows you to plug in an old RGB-compatible cable and upscale the visuals using line doubling, ensuring that old video signals look fantastic on modern displays while eliminating lag, poor quality, and odd aspect ratios that can arise from using your TV’s connectors or a cheap HDMI converter.

For this setup, you’ll need that RGB cable to connect your PS1 to the OSSC. If you’re not overly concerned about signal quality, there are Scart options (a standard more common in Europe) available from $8, but for top-notch results, check out specialist sites that offer a variety of options with the right shielding to minimize artifacts and interference.

The OSSC might seem a bit pricey, but it will be the backbone of your retro gaming setup, sending console signals over HDMI to your modern screen. It converts your analog signals with zero lag and allows you to scale up and add effects like scanlines.

On that note, newer players might not realize that the PS2 can also play PS1 games. If you’re using Sony’s 2000s sequel, you can connect it to the OSSC using either the RGB Scart cable or a component cable for higher resolutions in supported games, while Scart tends to deliver more accurate colors.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider trying an HDMI adapter. I have friends who use Kaico’s model, and while there are some drawbacks like slightly softer image quality and potential latency, it still provides cleaner results than letting your TV handle the upscaling.

At this point, PS3 fans might be shouting about how that system can also run PS1 games. That’s absolutely true, and it’s a super convenient way to play since its HDMI capabilities eliminate the need for upscaling or special cables. However, since the goal here is to use hardware associated with the original game, playing on a PlayStation 3 with the Anniversary port will feel similar, while using its predecessors will help you capture the right vibes.

Those vibes come from simple things like hearing a physical disc spinning, potentially quite loudly if your PS1 laser is aging, and having Sony’s non-Dual Shock gamepad in hand. While it’s not strictly necessary, using the smaller controller and the d-pad feels just right for a 2D platformer like Rayman.

This might not sit well with some of you, and I totally understand, but I also love the idea of using the original Rayman memory card saves or, heaven forbid, the password system. Yes, having access to the 30th Anniversary’s save state and rewind function will save you from tearing your hair out, and I might regret saying this after a weekend with the original. However, limited save opportunities or jotting down passwords will help you appreciate the new version’s fancy features even more.

I want to emphasize that encouraging you to try the original Rayman on PS1 following the 30th Anniversary reveal is meant to spark a fun project, not to gatekeep. I’m genuinely excited to dive into the shiny new remastered collection, especially since it includes the PS1, MS-DOS, Jaguar, Game Boy Color, GBA, and even an unreleased SNES prototype. It’s packed with extras like an interactive documentary, but I believe all of that will resonate more once you’ve experienced the original version for yourself.

Looking for ways to play classic adventures on the go? Check out the best retro handhelds and gaming handhelds for emulation devices, portable PCs, and more.